Jessica Heise
MA (Creative Arts Therapies), CCC, MTA
Music Therapist, Psychotherapist
Hello! I’m Jessica, the owner, founder and therapist of Transformative Music Therapy. TMT is the result of my long-standing belief that music is a wonderful tool for mental wellbeing. I have worked with diverse clientele and specialize in working with children and teens with psycho-emotional challenges. This includes youth living with mental illnesses, experiences with past trauma, emotional and behavioural challenges, attachment difficulties, and coping with life changes.
Through a music therapy approach, I utilize several different perspectives within my sessions, namely attachment theory, trauma-informed practice, critical humanism, resource-oriented music therapy, and systemic theory. This means:
- I have great trust in a person’s ability to heal from challenges and the pain that can occur from past traumas. I believe that people are incredibly resilient beings, even if we don’t always feel that we are. Through a strength-based approach, I encourage people to see the valuable resources that they hold within themselves that are powerful tools in coping and healing.
- I believe that people are experts on their own experiences. Above all, you know best. My role is to help you as you explore you inner world and support an understanding of what you find.
- I greatly respect the therapeutic alliance between myself and my clients. I believe that we heal from past relational challenges through healthy relationships. This calls for vulnerability from both my clients and myself. I strive to offer an authentic and emotionally safe environment to help you feel truly accepted.
- I understand the importance of our systems. Our families, friends, communities and identities are all part of who we are. I recognize that the systems I live within have created a world view that is unique to my experience. I acknowledge that clients with systems or identities different from mine will have a world view unique to their lived experiences. I respect these differences and strive to offer a client-centred approach when working across difference.
On a personal note, I love being outside and connecting with nature throughout the seasons. Outdoor adventures like hiking, biking, snowboarding and camping keep me busy year round.
I love animals of all kinds and enjoy the company of my cat, Luna.
I enjoy giving back to my community through involvement on the Music Therapy Association of Manitoba board as President. I am also honoured to be a practicum supervisor through Canadian Mennonite University in Winnipeg, Manitoba, supporting undergraduate students on their own path to becoming practicing music therapists. Mostly, I enjoy just connecting with people; connecting through music, deep conversation, or a shared interest.
I look forward to working together 🙂
Jessica Heise